Richmond
Event Team
Lisa Hall
Host
Lives in
- Richmond
Motto
- Each one, teach one...from experience to wisdom, from lessons to legacy.
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Marketing | Retail & Social Media Manager
Ayana Obika
Host
Lives in
- Richmond
Motto
- Teamwork makes the DREAM WORK!
Hobbies
- Gardening
Profession
- Manifestor of Awesome!
Christine Wansleben
Host
Lives in
- Henrico
Motto
- Be Fabulous!
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Chef & Business Owner
Jovonni Armstead
Group Leader
Lives in
- Richmond
Motto
- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!!!
Hobbies
- Gardening
Profession
- Legal
Monica Benjamin
Group Leader
Lives in
- Glen Allen
Motto
- Stop Waiting for Things to Happen! Go Out and Make Them Happen!
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Human Resources
Qiana Davis
Group Leader
Lives in
- Henrico
Motto
- Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on Earth.
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Childcare Owner
Shanika Hazelwood
Group Leader
Lives in
- Chester
Motto
- Live, Love, Laugh - Self Care is Key
Hobbies
-
Profession
- Program Support Tech
Marshianna Jackson
Group Leader
Lives in
- Richmond
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Gardening
Profession
- Operations Expert
Joyce Loving
Group Leader
Lives in
- Glen Allen
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Kelli Payne
Group Leader
Lives in
- Ashland
Motto
- Living My Life Like It's Golden!
Hobbies
- Cooking
Profession
- Program Administrator for DD Adults
Lareesa Willis
Group Leader
Lives in
- Richmond
Motto
- It's all working together for good!
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Real Estate Broker
Shana Bennett-Taylor
Table Leader
Lives in
- N CHESTERFLD
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Gardening
Profession
-
Jasmin Betts
Table Leader
Lives in
- Richmond
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Erin Blackwell
Table Leader
Lives in
- Richmond
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Cooking
Profession
-
Jasmine Booker
Table Leader
Lives in
-
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Roneisha Coleman
Table Leader
Lives in
- Richmond
Motto
- "It's never too late"
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Shadea Cummins
Table Leader
Lives in
- Mechanicsville
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Shopping
Profession
-
Delesa Curtis
Table Leader
Lives in
- Victoria
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Dara Durham-Ross
Table Leader
Lives in
- Hampton
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Dancing
Profession
- Insurance Agent
Sonia Elliott
Table Leader
Lives in
- Richmond
Motto
- Rooted in Spirit ~ Composed with Grace ~ Leading with Truth
Hobbies
- Music
Profession
-
Tarkiyah Eppes
Table Leader
Lives in
- Richmond
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Writing
Profession
- Senior Procurement Officer
Tiffany Exum
Table Leader
Lives in
- North Chesterfield
Motto
- Don't sweat the small stuff!
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Bank Operations Manager
Jackie Felton
Table Leader
Lives in
- Hampton
Motto
- Love Yourself!
Hobbies
- Reading
Profession
- Management Analyst
Allison Fields
Table Leader
Lives in
- Richmond
Motto
- Dont just attend the event….Be the life of the party!
Hobbies
- Dancing
Profession
- Salon Owner
Kimberly Gaines
Table Leader
Lives in
- Mechanicsville
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Sports
Profession
- State Government, Grants
Sandra Garland
Table Leader
Lives in
-
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Toni Greer
Table Leader
Lives in
-
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
- Bookkeeper
Dana Hubbard
Table Leader
Lives in
- Chester
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Wine
Profession
- RN
Shanta Langhorne
Table Leader
Lives in
- Richmond
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Design
Profession
-
Sandra Latter
Table Leader
Lives in
- Richmond
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Sherrl Lowe
Table Leader
Lives in
- Henrico
Motto
- Count it all JOY!
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Michelle McQueen
Table Leader
Lives in
- N Chesterfeld
Motto
- People will always remember how you treat them
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Retired IT Manager
Jonette Meade Barley
Table Leader
Lives in
- Richmond
Motto
- "Live Life Off The Wall" Tomorrow Is Not Promised
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Management Analyst Associate
ayana obika
Table Leader
Lives in
-
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Kristin Pleasant
Table Leader
Lives in
- Newport News
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Travel Advisor
Shahidah Reid
Table Leader
Lives in
- Henrico
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
LaShonda Stephens
Table Leader
Lives in
- Henrico
Motto
- Always ready to serve
Hobbies
- Dancing
Profession
- Healthcare
Connie Taylor
Table Leader
Lives in
- Richmond
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Design
Profession
- Case manager/ Event coordinator
Alysha Townsend
Table Leader
Lives in
- HAMPTON
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Writing
Profession
- Entrepreneur: Customs Apparel, Home Goods, & Gifts, Event Host, American Bully Breeder.
Shauntese Whittaker-Kalejaiye
Table Leader
Lives in
- Henrico
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Cooking
Profession
- Fleet Administration Coordinator
Ryan Wilson
Table Leader
Lives in
-
Motto
- Peace.Balance.Love
Hobbies
- Art
Profession
- Holistic Wellness Facilitator
International team
Sandy Safi
Chief Executive Officer
Having started her career onstage in the performing arts, Sandy's love of the entertainment sector brought her to work in special events in 15 countries over the years. She has developed and managed large-scale concerts in Dubai, worked in the Opera world at prestigious locations such as the Los Angeles Opera, the Casino de Paris, and Barcelona's Gran Teatre del Liceu, and finally started her adventure with Diner en Blanc in 2011, when she applied her network and her experience to facilitate the first American Diner en Blanc in New York. She co-founded Diner en Blanc International in 2012, and then became the sole owner of the Diner en Blanc trademark and company in 2022. Above all, Sandy seeks to encourage creativity and connect culinary communities around the world.
Chantal Blanchard
Public Relations Specialist
As a publicist in the world of entertainment, Chantal was fortunate enough to travel the world for many years with Cirque du Soleil. Those amazing years on the road gave her the opportunity to somewhat satisfy her thirst for everything that is lifestyle i.e. food, wine, cocktails, fashion, urban life, architecture, design, etc. As Chantal would say “this career path and passion for all that is good in life predestined her to join the team of Diner en Blanc International.
Lucia Sacco
Accounting & HR
Lucia brings over 2 decades of administrative and accounting experience to Diner en Blanc International. She has worked in the event planning industry since 2007 whereby she occupied the position of Accounting Director and Office Manager. “I feel blessed to be able to combine my organizational skills and passion for bringing events to life towards a career at Diner en Blanc International,” says Lucia. Her interpersonal skills are an asset when communicating with hosts and dealing with accounting specialists or government offices, all the while maintaining a high level of integrity.
Zina Acherir
Project Manager
Zina is a passionate and creative professional with concrete organizational and planning skills. Her educational background in event management allows her to innovate, communicate and visually translate ideas and visions to memorable experiences. Zina enjoys networking, planning, and travelling. "Working at Diner en Blanc International allows me to practice my passion on a daily basis and gives me the opportunity to meet amazing hosts all around the world, which also gives me the advantage of learning about different cultures and how other cities manage events."
Jennifer Soto
Project Manager
Jennifer’s experience in management in the education sector gives her the perfect balance of leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. She loves working with hosts around the world, helping them plan their events in an organized and timely manner, while showing empathy and understanding of each city’s differences and needs. “I feel privileged to work with the team of Diner En Blanc International and be surrounded by culture, diversity, food, music, and friendship.”
Elizabeth Carbonell
Event Operations Strategist
As Production Manager, Elizabeth oversees all aspects of the production and coordination of the Diner en Blanc events hosted by Diner en Blanc International. Her 10-year background in event managing for an international design non-profit organization, and her previous work in the fashion industry, allowed her to travel around the world and learn from incredible people. In her free time, Liz has an active and vegan lifestyle. She enjoys going out to restaurants, trying new cocktails, working out and cooking.
Fiorella Arbanil
Client Relations & Business Development
With over two decades of service in customer relations and twelve years of sales experience, Fiorella brings a wealth of expertise to her current role in Client Relations and Business Development. It is her mission to identify and secure hosts to produce Le Diner en Blanc events in cities worldwide. With a bachelor’s degree in advertising, marketing, and social media management, she has cultivated a strong foundation for driving strategic growth and fostering enduring client partnerships, and she is committed to expanding the reach and impact of Diner en Blanc globally.
Axelle Pierresteguy
IT Support & Project Manager
Axelle is a dynamic and youthful employee who has brought fresh and innovative ideas to the success of Le Diner en Blanc over the past few years. With a forward-thinking mindset and a talent for finding creative solutions, Axelle brings a vibrant energy to her work. She has always had a passion for the arts, including music, dance, theater, and filmmaking. Once she realized she could combine her love for the arts with her skills in managing and creating, she knew that the event-planning world was the perfect fit for her.
Batin Can Balkan
IT Project Manager
As the IT Project Manager at Diner en Blanc International, Batin applies his skills in innovative IT solutions to enhance unique event experiences and connect with incredible hosts globally. Le Diner en Blanc is a cultural platform where technology meets tradition, allowing one to see firsthand how cities around the world bring their unique flair to their event. Each day offers new opportunities to merge his IT expertise with a passion for creating memorable moments.
David Gallego
Full Stack Developer
David is a passionate software developer who brings creativity and dedication to every project. He believes that helping others meet their goals is how we drive innovation and create meaningful change. He also possesses the ability to adapt to different situations and offer a unique perspective which enriches discussions and fosters a culture of creative problem-solving.